Date: 05/17/07     Keywords: no keywords

So i've been playing Final Fantasy 11 for the past couple of weeks now. I've never actually been able to really enjoy it because of college etc etc. So now that it's summer break i've been playing it somewhat non-stop, until, i started having problems with my internet. The first time it disconnected, i thought it'd be wise to reset my router which did the trick somewhat. I could get back on the internet but only for short periods of time before getting kicked off. Sometimes it will even say not connected yet i can still get online, until it d/c again. I've checked forums changed my router channels, switched it to "keep connection alive". And i've seemed to exhaust every option there was. Hence i am  here. Two days ago i was having internet withdraws. Technically i HAVE interenet. I'm using it now. But i only have it for ten minutes at a time, because of the constant d/c. Needless to say there is no way in hell i can play FF11 with my wireless constantly d/c, which to me is pretty damn ironic. So im posting here for any solutions to my problem. I've been working on my internet connection problem since Monday night, when i d/c from FF11 and was greeted with a message "limited or no connectivity". I've done the aforementioned things, and now i'm not connected, yet connected, but only for ten minutes at a time. Any suggestions?

Btw, i had to type this post as fast as possible before my internet could d/c again. I use a linksys router and a westell.

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1072569.html

Date: 05/16/07     Keywords: software, web, microsoft

Hi everyone! I need some help. My Microsoft Word document is locked with a password which I have forgotten. Is there any way besides buying a software to unlock the document. The content in the document is my fan fiction. I need to post it on a website. Please help!


Samantha

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1072128.html

Date: 05/15/07     Keywords: google

Ok, first the stats:
I have a Windows XP laptop [Toshiba, if it matters]. It's not that old, maybe two or three years.

I was deleting programs using the 'Add or Remove Programs' tool. I saw a name I didn't recognize, noticed that it said that I 'rarely' used it, and deleted it. Well, it turns out that I deleted the audio to my laptop. My music doesn't work, videos don't work, YouTube doesn't work, etc. Is there any way to get back something that had been deleted using this tool? Or anyway to get my audio back? 
I had my brother send me the files [same laptop, same everything], but that didn't work. I tried downloading almost the same thing, but still not luck.
My laptop used SoundMAX Digital Audio, if anyone was wondering.

I checked google, as well as almost everyone I could think of that was computer savvy. 

And I really, really don't want to wipe my hard drive ://. I have too much stuff I want/need/can't save.

Help?

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1071894.html

Date: 05/15/07     Keywords: microsoft

http://connect.microsoft.com/WindowsHomeServer

If you just happens to have a spare pc w/dvd drive laying around that you hardly use, you can amuse yourself with this once the download is available. It's a headless OS so the way to control it would be from another machine.

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1071752.html

Date: 05/15/07     Keywords: virus, spyware, microsoft, google

So, I offered to fix this lady's laptop, which was going "berserk" and was to the point that she "couldn't even work on it". I figured, she has some spyware, maybe a virus, so it's an easy fix. Wrong. She had at least 3 viruses that started up with the OS.

With that, I decided to do a wipe of the HDD and just reinstall the OS. Luckily I have a Dell copy of WinXP Pro, since she couldn't find her install disks. I also had to do the backup of all her files because she hadn't had time to do it. To do the backup, I had to go in to safe mode because Outlook wouldn't open.

I get everything backed up, the new OS on, and since the disk was for (I'm pretty sure) a laptop, the computer doesn't recognize the network card. I had to go to my computer, find the drivers for it, copy them to a CD, and install them to the laptop that way. So I get it working, get the rest of the drivers, the laptop is mostly happy. I get all the OS updates, so the computer is "protected" by SP2.

However, WinXP Pro had decided to dual boot on the same partition. I did a Google search, and with all my Google-fu skills, there were only 2 hits for my problem. But they had solutions. So that's fixed.

I then decided to be nice and install, in addition to the anti-virus and anti-spyware I said I'd do, some of the other programs she had had on there, like iTunes and Roxio (I have the Dell disk for that too...I have a Dell) and a couple more.

I take it back to her, give her the laptop, the backup DVDs, and a list of the programs she used to have on the computer. I told her she would have to reinstall Office and the other programs herself, and she pretty much freaked out, since she apparently has no clue how.

And now she has sent me another email, stating that she hasn't been able to do work in 10 days and would like me to come and reinstall the programs she had originally. I thought I was done with the devil laptop.



So, my main questions are:
1) Does Dell keep a record of the keys they use for Microsoft Office for specific computers? Because if she doesn't have the install disks, I'm not sure if I can get that back for her. I have my copy of Office, but no extra keys just lying around. The OS seemed to recognize the key right away, because I never had to input the key. But will Office be the same?

2) How cam I politely tell her that I will need to charge more for this? I got $50 for the first stage, which ended up being less than min. wage with all the time I spent on that stupid laptop. She also wants me to come to her house to do this. I know professional computer repair people charge more for house visits, and I already picked up the laptop for her and dropped it off at her house.

3) When a professional place, like CompUSA or someone who doesn't go to the home, wipes a HDD and reinstalls the OS, do they usually put all the programs and data back on the computer? Or is that left up to the customer? No one I know has had their computer in for repairs before, since we all know how to work with them.

4) Do they install the updates for the OS, like SP2 and all? Or do they just leave it as a fresh install with nothing done to it?



And as a funny thing, my daughter doesn't push CD trays in with her hands, she uses her stomach to push them in. However, she knows how to put a CD in the tray. (She's 15 months)

(x-posted to ubergeeks

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1071466.html

Date: 05/15/07     Keywords: no keywords

I turn to the computer geeks for help. My 5 year-old just deleted my 8 year-old's Lego Star Wars II saved game that was about two hours away from being complete. Literally months worth of play.

Are we hosed? Is there no trashcan functionality on the XBox 360?

Any guidance GREATLY appreciated...

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1071340.html

Date: 05/14/07     Keywords: no keywords

I was wondering if anyone could suggest some sites that I can buy either a new or Refurbished Laptop with Xp on it from. I really don't want to get a computer with vista on it yet.. and I'm kind of in need of a laptop but don't want to spend way too much on one.

Thanks for any help. :)

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1070887.html

Date: 05/14/07     Keywords: virus, antivirus, spyware

I just downloaded and installed AVG antivirus and anti-spyware programs. I ran them both and they found 4 things

3 cases of trojan.zapchast
1 case of trojan.cloner....

I put them in my quarantine folder... How do I go about actually deleting them? Thanks.

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1070612.html

Date: 05/14/07     Keywords: no keywords

Does anyone know of a free tool that can split a 700-800 Meg avi file into two smaller parts?

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1070457.html

Date: 05/11/07     Keywords: no keywords

Is there an difference in performance of a refurbished computer as opposed to a non-refurbished?

I am thinking of getting a different computer, and I don't know if I should get a BRAND SPANKIN NEW one, or if a refurbed one would be OK.

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1069929.html

Date: 05/10/07     Keywords: no keywords

Greets all!

I have several dozen Flash video clips (FLV) encoded form 3rd party apps that I want to bring into Flash, and export an SWF with an embedded player out of.

Is there an automated way to do this, rather than start the import video wizard in flash, etc?

Thanks all!

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1069322.html

Date: 05/10/07     Keywords: no keywords

i just switched from http://del.icio.us/ to http://diigo.com/ and i like it very much. highly recommended.. i like it because it's very unobtrusive.

what do you use?

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1069153.html

Date: 05/09/07     Keywords: no keywords

I built Wendy a computer two years ago, and it looks like I finally get to see a computer that I build die. It started with weird video lockups, complete with a dark screen and diagonal colored stripes. After that, we'd get some random reboots. I ended up pulling the GeForce 6800 out of her computer and putting in an ATI All-in-Wonder and it pretty much chilled it out, but we're not happy with the video quality in WoW and DDO.

The problem is that she has an AGP motherboard. If we're going to get a new video card, it's going to require the purchase of a new motherboard unless we want to keep buying archaic computer pieces. With the new mobo, we're probably going to have to purchase a new processor as well. I think she's driving 929 and I'm probably going to end up going AM2 to keep her up to date.

The worst part is that it MIGHT just be the power supply. I'm going to stick some multimeter leads in there later, but I'm not a professional and don't really know everything to look for. The motherboard reports that we're getting 11.85 volts off the 12 volt supply, but I can't help but wonder if that's dropping when the video card and all kick in there.

The other option is just to go ahead and get her a new mobo/cpu/video card combo. I don't want to spend a mint on a video card, so I'm thinking a Geforce 7600 or thereabouts. For the motherboard, I don't need much. I'm thinking an Asus board with a AMD 64x2 4600+. All-in-all, that would only be about 350 bucks, but if it ends up being the power supply, I've ordered a bunch of hardware for nuthin.

Any recommendations?

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1068814.html

Date: 05/05/07     Keywords: no keywords

Well, having recently relecieved my pearl, and left with some time on my hands, I have decided to hack away.

So far, I have been able to get it to play some semblance of intenet radio via the installed player, as well as allowing one to listen to audio while in a call (for those phone-ins you really don't want listen to)

Now I want to see if I can rig a more interactive radio system for it.

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1068571.html

Date: 05/05/07     Keywords: no keywords

2 days ago Verizon came over to set up their FiOS service here. I had anticipated this and so I purchased a D-Link Gamer Lounge DGL-4300 as well as a D-Link DWL-G510 wireless adapter. When the guy verizon sent came by to set everything up for the new service, I asked the guy to just hook up the router I purchased. Well, he kept insisting that the one he set up (an Actiontec MI424WR) was "way better than that D-Link". So now I am currious if this guy's claims were accurate or if Verizon just doesn't want him to come back with the router they provided for us. I'd appreciate some thoughts on this.

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1068387.html

Date: 05/05/07     Keywords: no keywords

I have an interesting thing going on here.

I'm trying to access http://userscripts.org, and it keeps timing out on me since yesterday. At first I thought the problem was a temporary server downage, but I was able to access it smoothly at work earlier today, and still can't from my home computer. This problem would be puzzling enough if it were contained to just one site. However, another site, www.economist.com, just entered the growing list of sites that are timing out on me. Now it's beyond puzzling, and downright frustrating.

I'm asking your help in understanding at whose door the blame falls: at my ISP's or at some remote server that relays both of these sites. And if it's the remote server's fault, then what do I do about it? Do I just sit quietly and wait for things to get back to normal? Why is this not happening at my work computer? So many questions.

I'm gonna call my ISP tomorrow and act all angry at them about the bad service, but I'd like to figure out some good reasons to raise my voice at the poor customer rep, and then not end up feeling like a fool if it's not their fault to begin with.

Any response will be greatly appreciated.

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1068062.html

Date: 05/05/07     Keywords: no keywords

So, I'm just curious who else feels like this...

You have to work remotely on a server. Things are a little funky, you're forced to reboot

You know you're fucked if the server doesn't come back normally and you're unable to gain remote access. No one is around to physically turn it back on.

You sit there impatiently hitting the refresh button of (whatever remote access program you're using), your stomach is all tied up.

Finally you reconnect and you let out a long sigh of relief.

Anyone?

Anyone accidentally shut down instead of reboot? I did that once :(

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1067959.html

Date: 05/04/07     Keywords: no keywords

I have a client that had 2 hard drives in their system, and Windows gave the option as to what OS to load on bootup. After having to reinstall the OS, the option is now gone. To restore this option, I understand this involves either editing the boot.ini file in DOS or Windows, however I am more concerned about hosing up the OS by incorrectly altering the code.

Given the fact there are 2 HDD running XP, NOT 2 partitions, I code below is as follows:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Professional - Avid" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(2)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows 2000 Professional - ProTools" /fastdetect

Is this correct?

The main OS it defaults to now - Avid - is recognized as the C drive.

Thanks all!

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1067677.html

Date: 05/03/07     Keywords: asp

The strange and convoluted saga of Amiga continues in the year 2007
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=39362

I got through almost half of the article before I quit. Maybe the rest of you have longer attention spans.

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1067481.html

Date: 05/03/07     Keywords: no keywords

My computer and camera seem to have issues with each other. I have a Canon Rebel XT and a PC who don't want to talk to each other. I do take the pictures in RAW, so that might be it, but the strange part is the computer can see some of the pictures, just not all. From this last batch, it was able to see 20 of the pictures. There are 134 it didn't see. I tried installing all the Canon utilities, but still nothing. I also tried the Adobe Photo Downloader, which doesn't help, either.

I also tried it on my bf's PC, and it does the same thing. However, my iBook can see each and every picture, with iPhoto. I'd use it to import the photos, but it's quickly running out of disc space, which means I have to transfer the pictures off the laptop and delete them. I'd really like to not have to go through that!

Also, the PC can see the pictures once they're transferred from the iBook.

Is there something that my PC needs to be able to read the CF card?

x-posted to ubergeeks

Source: http://community.livejournal.com/computergeeks/1067037.html